The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-09-18
LABOR'S GREAT CAMPAIGN.
JOHN sv1srov SPEAKS HIS HIND.


Disa fectisn OF tseorEe's Old Following
His Present strength and tho Merits Of
his Ecclesiastical Annex, Mc-Giynn.
THE Sus's representative sought out hale
and hearty John swinton, to ask him what he
thought about tho political situation, and the
prospects Of united labor In particular. Mr..
Swinton never looked better In his life. and he
talked in the best OF spirits and with the ut
most alacrity and vivacity. THE Sun, Mr..
Swinton,' said tho reporter. looks to you as
having earned tho title OF guide. philosopher,
and friend OF labor and would like to have
some expression OF your views on the open
subject OF organized labor in it's relation to
coming political events"
Mr.. Swinton-The rule OF the prophet is less
safe in these times than 1t was In the older
world; and yet certain obvious phenomena
lead us to certain inevitable conclusions. The
relation OF organized labor to politics has
been very short In our country. But few
years ago. and an occasional local candidate
was put up for some inconsequential office on
q moro or less narrow platform; so that there
Is not much background. The foreground is
the thing of interest as your question sug-
gests. Last year. after years OF hard work and
evolution. and after the fructifying OF sundry
notions, peradventure arising to the dignity OF
principles, labor began to banker after political
results more kcenly and more widely than ever.
The first thing was to secure the united action
81 on se o 4eorm oa reso and Rs end
gained in SO far that az last the greater part OF
these here and eseThere found themselves
a goal more or less in the mist. l myself had
striyen to the , utmost for the union Union
WI Which at first seemed impracticable,, Z
not ridiculous. but which last fall and last
spring brought up novel AND astSoT , Wa.; re-
far as Miiwank ee where It swept the ileldl and
II GhsagS and other II ne e,es
tfG sh nnd 81 LOUIS OUT
towns and villages. East and West, the new
force appeared in action even more significant.
tons By majorities from half a dozen 70 q
score. showing the operation Of the primitive
and genius 81 the ann
That thing thus begun, with such q back
ground. and with this scope and momentum.
mental lines Of its development, seems noees-
sary, and doubtless 1t will, Notwithstanding
temporary ~ ,ba nd Gr
Reporter Mr.. swinton, the remarkable
fG n shs
Mr.. Swinton-I welcomed the victory with
preparing the way for It, and working oil my
energies to bring 1t about. 1 hope 1t Is not
n me me to say So roons vots
George because they thought him real re-
MI. swintonaUndoabtedly; He BECAME.
which the forces had been, previously organ
preceded by long and deep agitation stimu-
lated by the tremendous changes now occur
ring IN social an a. ndnstriai lie 6y the En-
rights, by the widespread consciousness
among the masses that something is wrong,
marvellous sprouting OF the brains OF the be-
neW times Within the past few Years there
has been somewhat Of IN awakening In the
underworld. like that in Methodist revival.
;. Reporter.Was it not you who brought
Mr.. swinton-It was Mr.. George who brought
have my share Of responsibility in the premises.
hanef she S@ 1T
year: I did what could in the way Of boom:
Ing him not as the 81 theqy 81
And can say. from pretty tull knowiedge 81
Of this town. that last Noyember's vote was no
sort of an endorsement OF the tax theory now
asss hs more but abans Su
Reporter-Is the charge devoid Of foundation
that George is not 4nly theoretical reformer
Mr. Swinton-I see no contrariety between a
theoretical and practical reformer. or practical
and poltsan should be ssd to
Reporter.,Then you have soft spot in your
Mr.. Standardization soft But that's of no con-
sequence. As for the causeless malice OF the
unclean ring Of hired bosses -. during the past
motions were best fitted for opera bout1e or
burnt cork minstrelsy; but their fragrant Job
Sir, nas hs %
'RsF Mr. George then set-ersc.ed
III his claims to leadersihipf "
Mr. Swinton-Not self erected in last Novem..
boris election as the candidate Of the Central
Labor Union, but somewhat so In this years
business. The Syracuse Convention that put
him up was largely made out Of wooden
see hanging under their. coat tails. hirelInas
ea by ae h3 ha
lar sense. Is ,slfght, and, as regards the forces
that upheld him last year, bsseless. As for his
Mso
which he rose, and knocks over the platform
upon which he stood, and scourges out the
Napoleon. Il not by the Second or Third. An
Would be proof in his favor o 'B But anyhow. we
shall see n few weeks the result Of this inter-
estinG experiment in sadefshIR and politics
troll the real strength Of the organizations that
followed him last year2
Mr.. Swinton-Now you are getting down to
solid and palpable things. The difference in
that respect between last year and this is 30
sweeping that nothing loss than the trans.
formation scene In the Black Crook could
equal it, For example last year the United
full support OF the Central Labor Union. which
It certainly will not have this year. Again. last
year 1t had the support Of Irving Hall. which
but that machine will be turned against
It this time, Once more, last year George had
the backing OF the whole body of Socialists,
who brought energy and funds Into the ranks,
array. Still further, perhaps eighty or ninety
trades unions gave him their active support
last year but this year at least sixty OF these
by delegates at the Webster Hall confere nee,
and are solidly banded In the new Progressive
Labor party. Yet again, last year he had the
backing OF several strong papers, such the
Irish World, the Leader, the foiks Zeiittng, and
John S.ointon's Paper. but the three former are
now strongly adverse to him and the latter ia
defunct. Once more: Last year Powderly
came here and used his influence with the
knights Of Labor at the Cooper Institute meet
Ing, but this year you may be sure he will
do something else. District 40 cannot be
worked" as II was last November, and there
will bA no "ral lattarn call In hia hehalf